Ethel Payne was a pioneering African American journalist who became known as the "First Lady of the Black Press." She was born in 1911 in Chicago and began her career as a journalist in the 1940s, at a time when very few Black women were working in the field.

Payne's reporting focused on civil rights issues and she became a prominent voice in the struggle for racial equality in the United States. She covered key events of the civil rights movement, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.

In addition to her work as a journalist, Payne broke barriers as the first African American woman to work as a radio and television commentator for a national network. She was known for her tough questions and fearless reporting, earning her the respect of her peers and the admiration of civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Ethel Payne's contributions to journalism and the civil rights movement have left a lasting impact on American history, and she is remembered as a trailblazer who helped pave the way for future generations of Black journalists.